Dynamic Density

Durkheim thought the division of labor was a social fact because it shows how people interact in the social world. Social facts must be explained by other social facts.  Dynamic density, according to Durkheim, was the catalyst for the change from mechanical to organic solidarity. This idea relates to the total population of society and the degree of interaction present. Additional people imply more competition for the few resources available, and more contact between the comparable parts of society means a more severe battle for existence.

The issues brought on by dynamic density are often overcome by differentiation and, in the end, by the appearance of new types of social organization. For example, people may now complement one another rather than compete because of the growing division of labor. Additionally, the increasing division of labor leads to improved efficiency, which increases resources and reduces competition for them.

People may collaborate more and draw support from the same resource base in societies where there is organic solidarity because there is less rivalry and more difference. As a result, diversity promotes more robust ties between individuals than similarities. In a society that values organic solidarity, there is thus more incredible uniqueness and solidarity than in a culture that values mechanical solidarity. Therefore, individuality is not the antithesis of solid social ties but rather a need for them.